Wetlands’ health crucial to people

THOMO Primary School will host a wetland clean-up campaign on November 28 in Nobody near Mankweng.

The event is aimed at educating villagers about the importance of wetlands and the dangers of wetland pollution.

The gathering is supported by Wildlife Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA) in collaboration with University of Limpopo students, the Polokwane Municipality, the Capricorn District Municipality, and the department of economic development, environment and tourism.

According to organisers, wetlands offer a wide range of advantages that contribute to human wellbeing. These include food, fresh water, fibre and fuel, water purification, climate regulation, retention of soil and sediments, protection from storms and floods, aesthetic and spiritual values, education and recreation. Two wetlands are located in the area between Ga-Motholo and Mamotintane villages, where many children pass through on a daily basis. There are two foundation phase schools and two pre-schools in Ga-Motholo village and one senior phase school in Mamotintane village.

Project coordinator, Matema Thosago, said the community witnessed a shocking incident in 2006 when a child drowned in a polluted wetland area. “The wetlands in the area are reduced, damaged and degraded. The deterioration of wetlands has natural causes, but human activities such as poor land use practises worsen the conditions of the wetlands. This increases flood risk as the fast-flowing water speeds up and spreads out, because wetland plants, particularly reeds and sedges (a plant resembling grass or rushes), cannot play the important role in holding back the water like they were meant to.

She added that the WESSA eco-schools programme enabled learners from Makeketela and Thomo primary schools to do research on the two wetlands with the help of Mishack Mutele, an intern at the National Research Foundation. Learners identified the use, importance and scientific names of plants and species found in the wetlands.

She explained that people needed to start rehabilitating the wetlands and avoid water and land pollution to help save human and animal lives.